10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,538 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Cadillac CTS engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Cadillac CTS Owner Comments

problem #13

Feb 252024

CTS

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Ever since I purchased this 2008 CTS vehicle, I have dumped thousands of dollars to repair the vehicle even after the "recall repairs". Problems persist and the car has become more dangerous than ever. The vehicle had inspected by the dealership a number of times the first 5 years of ownership the first 3, listed below, were the replaced recalls from dealership, the rest are known safety issues that gm denies to admit to faults and recalls. *Ignition starter replacement (still have starter failure issues after 2 repairs from gm) *washer fluid warmer removal (they just snipped the wires and removed the component but left hot wires exposed in vehicle) *motherboard ecm replacement recall(ecm is still faulty and has caused dozens of electrical issues. **************** battery drains over night. On my 6th battery (just bought new one 3 days ago) gauge cluster never recalibrated and is completely disabled. Don't know how fast im going how much gas or any other info related to. sunroof constantly leaking, flooding vehicle and destroying the electrical components which fried many relays including the door lock and power window components vehicle refuses to turn but cranks on fuel often will not allow a fill up ecm throwing irrelevant codes headlight failure due to seal defect that allows moisture into headlight casing frequent oil loss. 2018: vehicle engine failure whilst driving on freeway with zero warning nearly causing a fatal crash. Purchased new alternator (Shade tree auto in san Clemente) and had to pay 2000 for tow and alternator transmission failure and near miss collision into another vehicle on a steep incline road I have taken this vehicle to a multitude of repair shops and auto supply to get a diagnosis. Even the dealership didn't have any answers. Now I am out of a car. and money. These issues had been confirmed by Rorick Cadillac, Shade tree auto, oreily, s and s auto, auto zone.

- Oceanside , CA, USA

problem #12

Jan 152019

CTS

  • 5,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Cts. While driving and applying the brakes, the vehicle began to accelerate uncontrollably. The contact stated that the only way to correct the failure was by turning off and restarting the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.

- Nederland, TX, USA

problem #11

Jan 062018

CTS

  • 0 miles
My car has been in the shop due to engine issues, now that engine is replaced I'm seeing stabilitrak, service ac, and brake assist lights appear. Also when driving the speedometer is not engaged and car won't shift gears. Codes will not appear when hooked up to diagnostic reader and their is moisture that gets inside my car through the sunroof.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #10

Sep 092013

CTS

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2008 Cadillac Cts car accelerated. The consumer stated he was pulling into a parking space, when the vehicle suddenly accelerated jumping over the sidewalk. The only thing for him to do, was to turn off the ignition. He was able to get the vehicle back on the pavement. The dealer was unable to find a problem with the vehicle. One year later, as the consumer was approaching a stop light, the vehicle failed to stop and kept accelerating. He managed to turn the ignition off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. However, they were unable to determine the cause.

- Saint Charles, MO, USA

problem #9

Mar 072013

CTS

  • 14,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that while driving approximately 1 mph, there was an unexpected increase of acceleration as the vehicle failed to slow down even though the brake pedal was depressed repeatedly. The vehicle traveled over a boulder and then came to a complete stop. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician was unable to locate a problem. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #8

May 172013

CTS

  • 41,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The vehicle traveled over a curve and crashed into a tree. The contact sustained whiplash and neck injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection however, the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and sent an engineer to further inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 41,000.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #7

Dec 132011

CTS

  • 29,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that while sitting idle with the brakes depressed, the speedometer suddenly increased to 80 mph as the rear tires began spinning uncontrollably. The contact immediately placed both feet on the brake pedal and the vehicle resumed normal operation. The vehicle was later taken to the dealer for diagnosis where the contact was advised that they were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was later contacted but offered no assistance to the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000. The current mileage was approximately 32,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Milford, DE, USA

problem #6

Dec 022012

CTS 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that while sitting at a traffic stop with the brakes applied, the speedometer suddenly provided an erroneous reading of 80 mph. The wheels also began spinning rapidly as the vehicle veered from side T0 side abnormally. The contact powered off the vehicle and once restarted, the ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis however, the dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired one year prior to the recent failure. The vehicle was not recently repaired. The manufacturer was later contacted but offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 32,000. Updated 1/11/13 updated 1/28/2013

- Milford, DE, USA

problem #5

Dec 032012

CTS

  • 29,000 miles
The cars engine runs away with my car when I am sitting with my foot on the brake or at very slow idle with my foot on the brake. The problem is one that needs to be recalled. The internet is full of the same complaint for the same year and mileage, ( 29,000-32,000 miles ). I am reaching out to you because my car is at the dealer, nothing has been done to fix the problem, and I refuse to take my car back at this point. I paid cash for this car and this is the second time it has been in for the same problem. On Monday afternoon I pulled into my bank with cars in front of me and beside me. I came to a stop, had my foot on the brake and all hell broke loose. My car lunged forward, my engine was screaming, my speedometer said 80 mph, I had both feet on the brake to not hit the woman in front, my rear wheels were smoking and screaming and my car was jumping side to side because of the spinning wheels and nowhere to go because at this point I am standing on the brake with both feet. Someone screamed turn off the ignition and the moment was over. Courtesy Chevrolet in salisbury md, just called to say the problem didn't throw a code so Cadillac won't pay them to look and fix the problem. If they won"T fix what's wrong they can keep the vehicle and I want my money back and as I told them I won't stop until I get someone to listen and warn others of this problem. I have researched the internet and this is a very serious problem widespread and these cars need to be recalled. My husband says it's probably a problem in the computer that when the precise pressure is applied to the brake, the signal to the engine is go not stop.

- Milford, DE, USA

problem #4

Nov 092011

CTS 6-cyl

  • miles
After backing the vehicle in to a parking spot I wanted to straighten it out. When I put the car in drive there was a loud shrilling noise (sounded somewhat like brakes peeling) and the car accelerated forward with my foot on the brake. I pumped the brakes in an attempt to stop the vehicle but every time I pushed the brake the car would buck forward. In a matter of seconds the vehicle crashed in to a wall. This whole incident was less than 10 seconds. I would like to note this was a loaner vehicle. I would also like to note that the floor mats for this vehicle were in the trunk of the car and cardboard with plastic wrap over it was being used in their place. I don't know if that had anything to do with this but wanted to make you aware. The vehicle instantly began leaking fluid and had to be towed to the dealership. The tow truck driver made a comment that there was something wrong with the vehicle. Updated 02/07/12

- Norristown, PA, USA

problem #3

Jan 282012

CTS

  • 38,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that while stopped, there was an increase in engine rpms and the vehicle surged forward abnormally. The vehicle surged forward until crashing into another vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle suffered minor injuries. The vehicle was in the process of being towed to an authorized dealer to be examined. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Averill Park, NY, USA

problem #2

Dec 052009

CTS

  • 35,000 miles
I was driving my sister-in-law's 2008 Cadillac Cts home from work one night in December. I came up to the street out of the mall parking lot and put my foot on the brake to slow down. Suddenly, the engine took off and revved up to around 4000rpms, so much I could hardly hold it with the brakes. I put in park and reached down to feel the floor mat to see if it was on the accelerator. It was not. I turned off the car. The next day, I took it to the GM dealer. I don't think they believed me because they could not repeat the condition. They had me leave the car and they said they would look at it. The next day I picked ut up. They said that they had re-programmed the throttle body control unit. I left with the car and proceeded to exit the lot. Just as I got to the street, it took off again, revving to about 4000 rpms or so. I immediately went back and told the dealer what happened. They stared at each other and shrugged their shoulders. They never fixed the problem. I am convinced that this is a software issue in the throttle control system, just like Toyota is dealing with. If my wife had been driving this car, she could have been seriously injured. This is a very serious problem and needs attention immediately, . it is not just Toyota.

- Findlay, OH, USA

problem #1

Apr 012008

CTS

  • 5,000 miles
Twice, while driving my wife's 2008 Cadillac Cts, my foot has wedged both on the accelerator and the brake pedal causing me to proceed forward while attempting to brake. The first @, 6 mos ago, caused me to proceed into an intersection narrowly being missed by a vehicle coming from my left. The 2nd occurred @ 1 week ago causing me to just miss hitting a car parked in front. My wife had a similar incident @ 6 mos ago while backing out of a driveway. I have reported both incidents to Cadillac with no further communication from them. They gave me this site when I requested an Agency to report this problem so I might help others avoid being injured. I will not drive my wife's car in the future due to the above incidents and the fear of a more onerous outcome when it happens again.

- Fairhope , AL, USA

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